GramTel expects more growth

Company acquired by Cincinnati Bell.

Company acquired by Cincinnati Bell.

January 09, 2008|ED SEMMLER Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- GramTel USA sees opportunity in its recent acquisition by Cincinnati Bell. Opportunity to go after more customers, opportunity to hire more employees and opportunity to set up new locations. GramTel, a subsidiary of Chicago-based Jordan Industries, was acquired by Cincinnati Bell for about $20 million. But that doesn't mean GramTel will up and leave South Bend, said Tracy Graham, president of the company. Headquarters will remain where they are in downtown South Bend, and all employees will remain in place, he said. With the help and capital of Cincinnati Bell, in fact, GramTel will now be able to grow at a higher speed. The company provides data or backup data storage services for medical, legal, financial and other businesses. It maintains data centers in South Bend, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Lombard, Ill., near Chicago. GramTel expects revenue of about $5 million in 2007, but that could double in the coming year with help from Cincinnati Bell, said Graham, who started the company in 2000. The company sees growth opportunities in many areas because it is a lot more cost effective for businesses to share the expense of operating a secure data center with backup power, air conditioning and even Internet connectivity so that information is always available and accessible. As the company grows, it will have a need for more such buildings for data centers, including in the South Bend area where one facility is already operating at capacity, said Graham. And as the company grows, it will have to increase its employment, which currently stands at 35 -- including 25 in South Bend. "These are jobs that pay very well," said Graham, adding that the deal will end up being good for South Bend. "We'll be able to build out in the community," he said. "We'll be able to build new data centers and hire." And since most of the services are being performed for businesses in larger metropolitan areas, the majority of jobs that are being created are being paid for by new dollars to the community, Graham pointed out.Staff writer Ed Semmler: esemmler @sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6466